Self-leveling table.



J. C. RKCHMOND.

SELF LEVELING TABLE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 10, 1915.

1 1 53,828 Patented Sept. 14, 1915.

WTEE TATE PATENT @FFTQE.

JOHN G. RICHMOND, OF HELPER, UTAH.

SELF-LEVELING TABLE.

Specification of Letters Iatent.

Patented Sept. 14, 19515.

Application filedMarch 10, 1915. Serial No. 13,389.

and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description ofthe invention, such aswill enable others skilled 1n the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in self-leveling tables, and has for its principal object to provide a device which is particularly adapted for use on ships and the like. 1

Another object of the invention is to provide a table which is automatically balanced so that regardless of the rolling of the ship the top of the table will remain level.

A further object of the invention is to provide a table having a plurality of auxiliary weights which are arranged to provide a means for leveling the table in event the ship on which it is used, tilts to one side or the other and remains in that position for any marked length of time.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts which will be fully set forth in the following specification and accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a view of a self-leveling table constructed in accordance with this invention showing portions thereof broken away to more clearly illustrate the details of con struction, and Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 22 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now to the drawings by characters of reference, the numeral 1 designates the legs of the device which, in the present embodiment of the invention, are three in number and are secured at their upper ends to the ring 2. It is to be understood that these legs may be formed integral with the ring 2 if so desired. Formed centrally of the ring is an inclined face 3 which is provided with an annular groove 4: which forms a ball race in which the ball bearingssupporting the device are operably mounted. A suitable ball-retaining ring 5 is provided and is arranged to be screwed or otherwise secured to the upper surface of the ring 2 so that its inner edge partially overlies the ball race and prevents the balls contained therein from being displaced.

The main body portion of the table, desig nated generally by the numeral 6, comprises the top 7 which is screwed or otherwise secured to the semi-sphericalmember 8 which is located centrally of the body and is of such a diameter as to fit within the ring 2 and bear against the balls 9 mounted in the ball race. Formed centrally and depending from the semi-spherical body 8 is a suitable collar 10 having formed therein the internal screw threads 11, the use of which will appear as the description proceeds. Extending outwardly at ninety degrees from each other are the arms 12 which are formed integral with'the collar 10, and these arms are for the support of the auxiliary weights which will be more fully hereinafter described.

The main weight, designated generally by the numeral 13, comprises the spherical body 14: which is formed with the threaded stem 15, which stem is arranged to be threaded into the threaded opening 11 of the col lar 10, and thereby support the weight 14 in a suspended position beneath the table. In order that the table may be leveled in case the vessel tilts and remains so for any period, the weights designated generally by the numeral 16 are provided, and comprise the spherical body 17 having formed thereon the sleeves 18 which are provided with suitable set screws 19. These sleeves 18 are slidable on the arms 12, and it will be apparent that as they are shifted toward the ends of the arms, the greater will be the pull on the table to tilt the same in that direction.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that in use the legs 1 are secured to the floor or deck of a boat in any suitable manner, and it will be apparent that the weight 13 will cause the table to remain level regard less of the rolling of the boat. In event it is necessary to provide an auxiliary means for assisting in balancing the table, the weights 17 are placed on the arms and may be shifted to any desired position thereby enabling the user to assist the weight 13 in holding the table level to'prevent the contents thereof from being accidentally upset.

While in the foregoing there has vbeen shown and described the preferred embodi5 ment ofthis invention, it is to be understood that such changes may be made in the com bination andv arrangementlof parts as will therein, legs supporting the ring, a semi spherical member extending through the ring and resting upon the balls, a table carried by the upper face of said semi-spherical member, a circular irrteriorly screw threaded collar secured centrally in bottomwallsof said semi-spherical member, a plurality of arms radiatingfrom said collar-in opposite directions, means slida-bly; adjustable upon said arms for changingthe position of the semi-spherical memberya weight having a screw threaded projection; formed thereon adapted to engage the internal screw threads: of the colla-r Of'th'e semi spherical -member for holding:- the vtable level.

2. A self-leveling tableof the character described com-prising ai-circula'r ring, legs Copieswfthis patent-mayi be. obtainetLdZor five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of-Patents supporting the. ring, said ring being formed Witha ball race, balls in the ball race, a semi-spherical member resting on the balls andextending part way through the ring,

a table secured across the top surface of the semi-spherical member, a collar secured centrally to the bottom wall of the JOHN G. RICHMOND.

Witnesses:

FRANK DUBROOK, BEN F. Moss.

Washington, -D. C.

' semi-spherical member and extending thereirom, a plurallty of arms radiating from 

